Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The last minute forum was brought together thanks to Angelo Taranto.
What began as a trip to a taping of Tom Christiano’s Politically Incorrect on Chelmsford Telemedia turned into a dialogue between the Chelmsford School Committee and the majority of Chelmsford’s legislative delegation. Thanks in part to former School Committee member and School Committee legislative liaison Angelo Taranto, State Senator Mike Barrett and State Representatives Jim Arciero, Cory Atkins and Tom Golden stopped by to share their updates from Beacon Hill as well as answer questions from the board. In particular, money proved to be a major point of the dialogue, ranging from issues like Special Education policies to Chapter 70 aid. Both Barrett and the Representatives told the board that they believe both the House and the Senate …
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Outgoing School Committee Chair is a Candidate in Next Tuesday's Board of Selectmen's Race
At her final School Committee Meeting this past Tuesday, Chairman and current Candidate for Chelmsford Board of Selectmen, Janet Askenburg was presented with a plaque honoring her three years of service on the Committee. Chelmsford Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Frank Tiano presented Askenburg with the plaque and gave a short speech thanking Askenburg for her service and leadership as both Secretary and Chairman. “We know that anyone who volunteers for this Committee, or for Selectmen, or any of the other town boards, really have taken time out of their personal lives to do a service for the town. We’re really grateful for that, and in particular, we’re grateful for your leadership and all of the hard work you put into it,” Tiano said. …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Chelmsford's public schools are currently set to end their year on June 24.
With the brutal snow storms that have been hitting the region so far this winter, Chelmsford has been forced to make the decision to cancel schools in the event in inclement weather. But with many people thinking about the end of the school, Chelmsford School superintendent Dr. Frank Tiano said last week that it was still too early to make a decision on the last day of the calendar year, based on how many days will have to be made ip in June. “Currently we have cancelled school four times (this calendar year). Without any snow days, we would be scheduled to be out on June 18. Currently, we would be scheduled to be out on June 24,” said Tiano. Many questions have been asked about the actual process for cancelling school and how it’s done. …
Friday, March 1, 2013
The topic that has dominated discussion in Washington recently was also a part of the discussion at this week's Chelmsford School Committee meeting.
Regardless of what happens and has been happening in Washington, many school districts such as Chelmsford will feel the hit of the looming sequester. However, Chelmsford Public School business manager Kathy McWilliams, says Chelmsford's schools are still planning on the status quo. “We start with what our budget was in 2013, and what we’re allotted this year. The Town Manager (Paul Cohen) requested a level service budget and three percent increase, and that equals $1.4 million,” McWilliams said. “The money will be spent on the teachers and staff and then we have an operational cost of $600,000 that we have to mandate.” The cost of Special Education for Chelmsford students also plays a big factor into any budget increase according to …
Monday, February 11, 2013
After taking out nomination papers just before Town Hall closed for the blizzard on Friday, Jack Wang has decided not to run for School Committee this year.
Chelmsford Patch has just learned that one-time School Committee candidate Jack Wang has decided not to run again for the School Committee this spring. Wang was spurred on by Janet Askenburg's candidacy for the Board of Selectmen, and took out papers just before the closure of town hall by the blizzard on Friday, but now says he is having second thoughts. "I was all gung ho about doing it initially, but Iw anted to make sure I could give an effective campaign," said Wang. "I don't know if I could give 100 percent of my time. I don't want to call the chair (if elected) and say 'I can't make this meeting or I can't make that meeting'." Wang told Patch he hopes to run again at some point in the future. In 2010, Wang receieved 2,105 votes, …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Guidance Department Coordinator Thomas Wright Jr. told the School Committee on Tuesday night the key points on what his staff is doing to help Chelmsford students.
At this past Tuesday evening's Chelmsford School Committee Meeting, Guidance Department Coordinator Thomas Wright, Jr., presented the end of year Chelmsford K-12 guidance report. In his report, Wright outlined what he called “meat and potatoes, for needs in the district. Wright highlighted the importance of meeting the Massachusetts model for school counseling and one-on-one at risk assessment, using the state and national model to guide their practice. “This is what the meat and potatoes of what counselors do. Guidance, responsive services, individual planning and system support. This is what guidance counselors do twenty-four seven days a week, including some weekends.” Wright also highlighted the district’s plans to help students, …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The topic was discussed during Tuesday's meeting, along with challenges faced by Governor Patrick's recently announced 9c cuts.
As Washington politicians continue to debate the fiscal cliff, their decisions may have an impact on Chelmsford if the Tuesday’s School Committee meeting was any indication. Chelmsford School Superintendent Frank Tiano and Business Manager Kathy McWilliams informed the board that the potential of the fiscal cliff could add to recent 9c cuts made by Governor Patrick that will take away $118,000 in circuit breaker money and $28,000 in money for transportation of homeless students. While McWilliams indicated that the money for homeless transportation was never provided from the state, the circuit breaker money would be significant, and that amount could rise to approximately $200,000 in various grants and funding if the fiscal cliff …
Friday, August 10, 2012
School Committee members rejected being considered for a $1,800 stipend for municipal board members in Chelmsford that may be discussed at Special Town Meeting.
While the subject of returning stipends to elected officials may be on the warrant at this fall’s Special Town Meeting, on Tuesday night the School Committee asked not to be a part of that discussion. In a unanimous vote, the board told Board of Selectman vice chairman Matt Hanson not to include the School Committee if the issue of returning stipends is part of Special Town Meeting this year. Hanson came to the board to gauge opinion on where the School Committee stood, noting for the record that the stipends had been removed shortly after the global financial crisis four years ago, due in large part to health insurance benefits for the elected officials. While Hanson said that it would be unlikely any requested return of stipends would …
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Members said they'd like to improve communication with the community.
School Committee members last night reviewed results of a survey taken last month regarding their performance as a town board. About 73 percent of survey-takers identified themselves as parents, while 21 percent identified themselves as staff members, 5 percent as community members and 1.2 percent as "other." When asked if the School Committee conducts business in orderly, efficient meetings, 50 percent answered "proficient", 13 percent answered "exemplary," 10 percent answered "needs improvement" and two percent said "unsatisfactory." School Committee Chairwoman Janet Askenburg said she understands frustration when groups who are presenting to the board go over their given time periods on the agenda, but that is usually because committee …
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The School Committee met last night to discuss contract negotiations between food service personnel and vote for a new Director of Student Services.
Chelmsford High Director of Student Services Carol Fredette is retiring on June 30 and Chelmsford school officials appointed Brad Brooks as a replacement last night. The committee has been searching for a replacement since January 2011. The Chelmsford Public School Committee heard from Superintendent of schools Frank Tiano about the search and the district's top candidate. The Director of Student Services is a central administration position within the school department and is a director of special education, an ELL coordinator, as well as being in charge of nurses, guidance counselors, and school psychologists. The position was initially posted in January and received 23 applicants. Chelmsford School District Superintendent Frank Tiano …
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Andrew Sylvia
10:14 am on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Hi Tyler, It wasn't said during the meeting, but I was told today that Nangle had a family emergency in Maine he had to attend to. more ›